CMA CGM to set up new air cargo hub in Chicago with Boeing 777 freighters

French logistics giant CMA CGM Group is to establish a new air cargo hub in Chicago as part of the international freight conglomerate’s $20 billion investment in the US maritime transportation, logistics, and supply chain sectors over the next four years until 2030. The new Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) hub will benefit from a number of the carrier’s Boeing 777F freighter fleet being based at the airport, as the airline takes delivery of new aircraft during 2025.

The carrier is expecting two new Boeing 777Fs to be delivered to it in 2025, bringing its total fleet of the type to five units. In a statement issued by the company, it states that this expansion in US air cargo capacity will be “anchored by the new hub in Chicago, with five 777Fs operated by American pilots which will strengthen US trade and connectivity”.

Dirk Daniel Mann / ShutterstockCMA CGM Air Cargo operates both scheduled and charter cargo-only flights from its main operating base at Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) in France. Established in March 2021 in response to the growing demand for international logistics solutions, the CMA CGM Group launched CMA CGM Air Cargo to complement its other operations in the global shipping, logistics, and freight-forwarding industries in which it is a major player.

The company began operating a fleet of two former Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200Fs and later expanded to operating the Boeing 777F, of which it currently operates a fleet of three of the type, with two more due to be delivered in 2025 to expand operations between Asia and North America. Additionally, in December 2021, the carrier became the launch customer of the Airbus A350F with an initial order for four aircraft. This order was then doubled in April 2024 to a total of eight aircraft.

AirbusWith Asia being the primary market for CMA CGM’s air cargo services, the airline has most recently been deploying two of its three 777Fs and its single remaining A330F on services from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and  Zhengzhou. Its other 777F has been working the company’s scheduled route between Chicago O’Hare, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Anchorage.

Trump announces deal

The announcement regarding the US expansion of its airfreight division came as part of a visit by the chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, Rodolphe Saadé, to the White House on March 6. 2025. Following the meeting with President Donald Trump, the full details of the announcement regarding the $20 billion investment were revealed, which builds on the French shipping company’s 35-year presence in the US market.

M.J.J. de Vaan / Shutterstock
Today, the Group operates across 40 states and employs 15,000 US citizens. As one of the world’s leading transportation companies, CMA CGM transports over 5 million shipping containers to and from the US annually.

Speaking about his company’s investment in the US, Saadé said, “I am proud to build on our long-standing relationship with the United States through this commitment of $20 billion to the country’s maritime future and logistics capabilities. Over the next four years, we will significantly grow our US-flagged fleet, expand the capacity of key container ports on both coasts, develop state-of-the-art warehousing across the country, and establish a significant air cargo hub in Chicago. This will create 10,000 new American jobs and further strengthen our partnership with American customers and public authorities.”

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